Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires passes away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
Some households go through an annual spring cleaning. During the course of a year, a family may collect all sorts of items . . . some good, some not. In the spring cleaning, every corner is inspected and cleaned. Every item is carefully assessed for its value to the family. Do we keep it or does it go in the trash?
Occasionally something will be discovered that is valued by an individual family member but not by the family. Mom says trash it, but dad says keep it. Or dad says it’s trash, but mom says it’s treasure. Generally, there is a discussion about the necessity versus the desire: is this item necessary to the family or is it simply a desire of the individual? It is about choices. To keep or not to keep, that is the question.
Today’s text is similar to that spring cleaning discussion. John sets forth the believer’s choice: God or the world. And it is interesting to me that John’s polemic is based on the believer’s love. Love the world or love God. Why can we not do both? John explains. The cravings of sin, covetousness, and prideful boasting are all products of the world. They do not come from our God and Father. John further asserts that our choice is crucial because of the enduring quality inherent in each choice. Choosing worldly desires is inherently destructive. Choosing God is inherently eternal. Which is more valuable to you?
Dear Father, thank you for giving us a choice. Grant that we may continually choose you over the world and anything in the world. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as you choose God,